Posts from Expert Interview

Aya Brackett is an accomplished fine art and commercial photographer. She worked as a photo editor for Dwell magazine for four years and has won numerous awards for her fine art photography, which often focuses on food. You can see her work in Sunset, BonAppetit, Martha Stewart, Elle, The New York Times and in numerous books and cookbooks.

Today she shares with us her five essentials (and a few extra hints) for improving your food photography.

Will you be cooking a romantic dinner for a loved one tonight? Or perhaps treating yourself to a special solo meal, no partner necessary? This week we have been talking to chefs, food writers and bloggers about their ideal Valentine's Day menus, and whether you're married, single, or it's complicated, we have ideas for all kinds of cooks, from the hopeless romantic to the die-hard cynic.

A well-made cocktail is the perfect start to any Valentine's Day meal and today mixologist Mark Sexauer, author of Aphrodisiacs with a Twist, shares his favorite cocktail for a romantic evening together — and his pick for the best "strong and simple" drink for sipping solo.

Rachel Cole is a life coach, retreat leader, writer, and teacher. Her focus, her life's work, is helping women to lead wise, well-nourished, pleasurable lives. She is also a cracker-jack cook, with a history in working with food, sustainable agriculture, and running programs in food education. These days she spends her time exploring the question 'What are you truly hungry for?' in her workshops and coaching sections.

Today Rachel is sharing her five essentials for a passionate, engaged and well-fed life, both in and out of the kitchen.

Feeling a little burned out on the food bloggers' version of Valentine's Day? One too many heart-shaped pepperoni, perhaps? This week we are asking experts to share their ideal Valentine's Day menus and today the blogger behind the Tumblr and Twitter handle, S— Food Bloggers Say, gives voice to the bitter, the burned out, the ones who just don't buy into this holiday. No candles. No roses. There will be Nutella, but — well, you might not want to know the details.

Will you be cooking a romantic dinner for a loved one this Friday? Or perhaps treating yourself to a special solo meal, no partner necessary? This week we are talking to chefs, food writers and bloggers about their ideal Valentine's Day menus, and whether you're married, single, or it's complicated, we'll be sharing ideas for all kinds of cooks, from the hopeless romantic to the die-hard cynic.

Today Maria Lichty of Two Peas and Their Pod talks about her annual tradition of starting off Valentine's Day with an indulgent, love-filled breakfast with her family. She also shares a few of her favorite recipes, including coconut-raspberry waffles and a berry-topped chocolate Dutch baby, perfect for impressing your Valentine this Friday morning.

If you are a fan of Ashley Rodriguez's award-winning food blog, Not Without Salt, then you know she has a commitment to sharing date nights with her husband that are romantic yet realistic, and always special. It isn't easy to create that atmosphere with a longtime partner, especially when you have kids, so we turned to Ashley for her advice on sharing a memorably romantic meal at home, even when you can't find a babysitter.

Will you be cooking a romantic dinner for a loved one this Friday? Or perhaps treating yourself to a special solo meal, no partner necessary? This week we are talking to chefs, food writers and bloggers about their ideal Valentine's Day menus, and whether you're married, single, or it's complicated, we'll be sharing ideas for all kinds of cooks, from the hopeless romantic to the die-hard cynic.

Today Michael Procopio, the man behind the James-Beard-Award-nominated blog Food for the Thoughtless, talks about his plans for a solo Valentine's Day evening and shares his best advice for enjoying a blissful evening alone — this Friday or any other night of the year.

Will you be cooking a romantic dinner for a loved one this Friday? Or perhaps treating yourself to a special solo meal, no partner necessary? This week we are talking to chefs, food writers and bloggers about their ideal Valentine's Day menus. Whether you're married, single, or it's complicated, we'll be sharing ideas for all kinds of cooks, from the hopeless romantic to the die-hard cynic.

Speaking of hopeless romantics, today's menu ideas come from Australian chef and food heartthrob Curtis Stone, who likes to go all-out for his wife, Lindsay, on Valentine's Day. From Mexican feasts to quick-yet-decadent lobster dishes, here are his ideas for creating a romantic meal for a loved one.

Folks in my Oakland, CA, neighborhood know about chef Tanya Holland because of her popular restaurants Brown Sugar Kitchen and B Side BBQ but her fame has spread much wider than our shared city. Maybe you recognize her from her appearances on The Talk and The Chew, or perhaps you're a diehard Food & Wine fan like Ms. Holland herself, in which case you probably saw her Thanksgiving spread last November.

Regardless of how you know her, don't miss her five essential recommendations for home cooks.

Yesterday I shared a peek into Mallika Basu's home kitchen in London, England. Mallika (a.k.a. Miss Masala) is a mom of two toddlers, a PR executive, and the proprietress of a popular food blog called Quick Indian Cooking. I was charmed and impressed by her energy and inventiveness in cooking, but I was somewhat boggled — how does she do all this and cook traditional Indian food, which I find quite time-consuming (and not usually light or healthy).

So I asked Mallika for some tips for getting fresh, tasty Indian food on the table day in and day out. Here are her answers, along with a few recipes.